Random Thoughts!

Month: November 2016

The elections was relatively peaceful, gratitude to the Almighty and all that contributed to make it so.

Now is time for synergy to get the state forward and not at a stand still or backwards. I hope the Jimohs, Okes et al will join hands off party lines and see Ondo forward.

For the New Governor Elect, it is time to return to Owo and say Thank you. It should extend to the Akungba – Ikare Axis and the whole of Ondo North.

Owo is a Junction town and the busiest link the North and Middle Belt (Benin).

I am kindly requesting for

1. Increased Security, especially between Owo and the Akure, we have been robbed thrice on that stretch. At a time people started using the Ekiti link with Oshun, long but safer at that time. Luxurious Buses were the major targets at night.

2. The link roads to

a -Sabon Gida Ora and Benin axis;

b – Road from Ibillo junction to Kabba, a very commercial road, especially with the Cement Factory in Kogi, the Dangote’s should join in making the road better.

e. Start thinking of dualising Owo-Akure-Ondo-Owo-Okitipupa/Igbokoda roads and start even if on small scale a Lagos – Okitipupa/Igbokoda Water transport (luxury/business class).

should see some visitations. Yes they may be Federal roads, as a member of the Centre Party, Fashola should be able to make it priority or you work on them and get refund.

3. The Issue of Kidnappings must stop or see a drastic reduction, even if it means upsetting some cabals.

4. Build a big Trailer park in Owo for decongesting of roads especially as there will increase of traffic with road repairs.

5. Start campaigning for the Ajaokuta rail line to Pass through Ondo to Lagos. Ondo needs a direct Lagos – Abuja Link to unlock the state from the relegation by the western states.

6. Start looking at Diaspora, Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and Kaduna/Kano for inputs to the state. Ondo has a large cache of Highly placed resources that can be of benefit to the state in Oil and Gas, Cocoa, Timber, Cassava, Medicine, Water, ICT and name it. The Kupolatis and Aruwajoyes, Famutimi et al are Egbons that must be used to get the Bitumen, Oil and Gas resources on your top front burner now the PIB is being pursued.

7. Tourism has suffered so much set back due to lack of care. Religious Tourism was not cared for in the days of Obadare, now Ogun State has captured the Mountain of Fire, Redeem, Living Faiths et al. The Government should see how the Sun Shine state can shine again with the Idanre’s and Oke Marias et al.

8. As a corper, I made sure I used only products from Oluwa Glass factory in my apartment, they sufficed, PPP with the Chinese if need be but lets start producing Glasswares.

9. Ondo should visit Ghana and see how they have silently started producing European Quality Chocolates, export product. They avoided Nigeria, because we could still the market. Get the Boyede’s and Ile Oluji start producing affordable Coco Products for Nigeria and Export again.

10. The Farmers of your area do not have a regulated market to sell their products at premium price, get the lebanese and gambaris give good deals, by getting a commodity board to give these farmers a reason to increase the production and get premium pricing for their goods. And you can do what your eastern counterpart is doing exporting vegetable to abroad. The Farmers need better pricing.

11. The North East is being reconstructed, Ondo Furniture, wood workers can be enabled through your Government to be a major source for wood products for school, hospitals, churches, homes and establishments furniture and wood needs.

It is my prayer that the progress of Ondo State will be a continum.

God bless the people of the Sun Shine State and he blesses the State to truly shine.

The last debate was truly insightful, you can see persons so passionate about a state I love so much. Ondo State is in sorry state for any that knows the potentials it carries. It is home to so many National and International brains that are contributing to the increase of so many spheres of this earth than you can imagine. As a Youth in the late 80’s, I saw of vision of Africa tilted like a gun, with Ondo state as the trigger. I asked what it was and the only answer that kept coming, was it holds the answer to Africa, not just Nigeria. I believe and so will restate it that Ondo can get Africa out of the woods, but how?

First and foremost we most realise that this beloved state belongs to all of the contestants, (yes the 28 of them, debaters or not) and so it should not be a do or die stuff. I like the Agunloye’s talk of an inclusive natured governance, I respect the hopeful invitations of each of the candidates and pray they will truly stand by each other at the end, when a Lead Candidate and followers are announced by INEC. Let me try to state it rightly, I hope all the politicians, academicians, clergy, traditional houses, students, business persons and civil servants of Ondo State Origin, will for once lay down their differences and set a cause to place Ondo on the pedestal meant for it from time.

Ondo should not remain marginalised by the Federal Government, Western States and the South South Oil Producing states, no more. But it is only together that such can be achieved. Back to the issue of elections. Bearing my mind, it is as a person to whom Ondo is second state.

With all the politics of Abuja, Lagos Kaduna, Port Harcourt and yonder, I will beg Ondo people to please vote for an Ondo resident person. What do I meant, a person residing in Ondo is in the pains all these years with you and sincerely knows where and how the roof is leaking. My Egbons in Lagos and Abuja, will always rule from Abuja, Lagos or Port and visit intermittently to see how you are doing. Ask your neighbours in some of the Nigerian states, the governors have planes on stand by to jet in, commission or open projects or meeting and jet back to abuja, especially when the state hot(salary wahala).

Agricultural and Forest Resources:If cote d voire (Ivory Coast), is a global leader in Cocoa Export. The Government of Ondo State should make it a priority to see that Ondo return to the basics and make Cocoa worth farming and trading not only for the Lebanese, but for the farmers and country at large. The Ile-Oluji factories should be re-engineered to process and enhance valour to the product for both export and local consumption, (remembering Boyede now an export Guru). The same is for the Wood Furniture industries, we can silently make Ondo the number 1 producer of semi / finished products for the Nigerian markets and diaspora. I remember very much GOAMCO Furniture, he was my first Employer, he will not lower his standards on jobs we did in Abuja and years after his counterparts works are gone bad, his stand to show a good workmanship. Now that local content is being preached, Ondo can be a lead amongst equals.

Oil, Gas and Bitumen:Am told Ondo bitumen can tar the whole of African roads and still keep producing, what will the next Governor do to ensure the exploration of Oil in the North East is not the only priority of the Nigerian Government, Bitumen could be made to chart a cause for employment and increase revenue. I am trying not to forget the Okitipupa Glass factory and so many otthers.

Road Connections:- Ondo is more Gateway State to the Mid West, Southern, Eastern Nigeria and the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. The robberies and bad roads are a headache, with some little efforts from the local and Ondo State Government, Akure can be the leading connection to Benin, Lokoja, Kabba, Auchi, Enugu, Makurdi and enhance a 24/7 revenue accruing from land commuters.

The Lagos – Okitipupa water route can be re-engineered to enhance water transport out of lagos. With the likes of Philip Emeagwalli, who speaks of Ondo, than his state of origin and the so many ICT brians, Ondo can be another Silicon Island (not Valley) for the region and Nation at large.

Sorry am talking elections and not economy, seriously speaking, Ondo needs somebody who has the mind of the people and can appreciatively rise to their yearnings for a better, greater state. In all I see passion and ability to perform in one sphere or the other, but in One I see the heart of person that is genuinely ready for the people. I hope he wins and pray the other Join him in moving the state forward. Mimiko did his wonderful best, the next person should not destroy, but build from there. I wish all the contestants the best, may the winner be graceful to remember the need for a collective governance; may the others be graceful to lay differences aside and join hands with the winner to build the Sun Shining State that is needed to illuminate Africa. God bless the people of Ondo State to be glorious enough to have a very peaceful, free and fair elections, refusing any form of inducement for evil.

Empires, Emirates and Kingdoms at their heights, that did not prepare for their stay, only ready their fall. History from time gets us to know that it is only “He that is down, that need fear no fall”. The best and the worst of them all see their entre’ and exit as time and chance happen to all. A day to be born and a day to die or should it be for a rebirth, as born againism is not just for Judo-Christian creed this days.

America, is passing through a must watch phase, the world is entering a season of prophetic actualizations, care must be taken that we do not become the tools of doom fulfilments. Like the Good is looking for willing hands and minds, so also the bad/evil is looking for evil tools, hands and minds to use. To be a Judas Iscariot that betrayed Jesus or Peter that denied him three times is a choice selection, so also to be the marys and women that stood with Christ through out His ordeal and followed to see where He was laid, that was also choice.

Get me right here, whether Hillary or Trump, the world stage is set for a season we must all be prepared for. Yes, All Saints’ days to some is Halloween to others; while some mystics in Africa have arranged grave visits, for what? May be to resurrect the spirits of long gone heroes, for wars/battles that is in need of a this day’s hero. Correct me, if am wrong, America is a young nation compared to Egypt, the illumination needed to guide/lead America must be such that reflects the exigencies of today. Adaptations are possible, but becoming a Pharaoh, Attaturk or Atilla the Hun in todays America is close to unfruitful.

When I see african princes, returning to base for invocation of long gone spirits for modern conquests, I quiver and get the more sober. They drop their learnings and kneel before spiritual mediums/mediators for all sorts, that might be the reason why African Institutions and Ruling Houses are filled with round pegs in squared holes.

While South Africa battles with the current issues of their land, it is time for the sages there to do the needed, call up yesterdays success and build on the principles that got them that far. Bring up the dynamo of the present and synerge energies for a better South Africa (easier said, I hear you).

South Sudan should realise the forces from outside will do anything to make them fail and regret the separation from Sudan. The forces outside need internal crevices to plant their seeds of discord, disharmony and crisis for the benefit of only the perpetrators. Solutions lies from within and it is only the inhabitants that could know or trace where the roof is leaking. United Nations, African Union can only help to an extent. The solution lies with the South Sudanese, arising as one to say no to wars, let peace reign. If of the opposing leaders wants wars, let them use their children and family. They live outside the war zone and propel more violence, because they do not feel the pangs of it’s effect.

Zimbabwe, Kenya, Conga, Gamba, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Niger, Benin, Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Ethiopia, and where have you, should realise the strength in together (Unity), can never be achieved without people lowering the highs for moderated acceptable compromises. The use of forceful colonial, religious, traditional, mystical technics to make zombies of people, enslaved by a cabal for the benefit of the few, will not last long anymore. Change mantra is not just Nigerian.

Africans must like in Britain be able to stand and tell their leaders, we do not want this or that. And when the issues are decided, any person should be able to challenge the actions or inactions of their leaders.

The Nigerian scenario is confusing. A country of divers national ethnicities, brought together by the needs of the colonial lords of ages gone. Pathetic is it when your Nigerian Child, tells you he is first American before a Nigerian. Then another tells you his/her loyalty is first to Rome, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran or India before loyalty to Nigeria. Nigerians sing their National Anthem and Pledge with heart and mind, but the actual soul is tied to somewhere else before Nigeria. I still see the Independence and Christmas/End of Year Celebrations in Ghana, you see love for country, we need some of that in Nigeria.

This season, as the Sultanate, sultanizes, Lagos, Calabar and Abuja Cannibals (cannibalizes???) get ready. May we begin to think of Nigeria first, the labours of our heroes past should be a guide to ‘Oneness and Greatness’ in the context of Today and not a bring back of practices that no one will be proud to truly unveil in the light of today.

My prayer for all and above all is that, May the Almighty, Supreme, Benevolent Lord and Master, shine on all of us the true Illumination that will bring Freedom, Peace and Plenty to our Lands in ways that will enhance harmonious Sustainable Development of our World, beginning from our homes, villages and cities. Have a wonderful weekend.